The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the immediate shutdown of the government’s digital services platform, E-Citizen, after a damning audit by the Auditor-General exposed massive irregularities and unauthorised transactions.
Describing the platform as a “crime scene,” the committee said E-Citizen is riddled with corruption, lacks a legal foundation, and poses serious threats to national security and public finance integrity.
Led by Butere MP Hon. Tindi Mwale, PAC members decried the platform’s operation without any legal framework or regulatory oversight.
“This system has no legal standing whatsoever. There’s no law supporting its existence or governing its use. No structure, no accountability,” Mwale said.
He added that the platform is running without standard operating procedures (SOPs) or service level agreements (SLAs) with financial partners — leaving the government exposed to major risks.
“Let’s be frank. If we care about this country, we must admit this system cannot be allowed to continue. It’s legally indefensible,” he added.
The audit report revealed shocking figures:
Unreconciled collections amounting to Ksh 6.3 billion and USD 68 million,
Unauthorized transfers of Ksh 127 million to private firms, and
Overcharges by the National Treasury totaling Ksh 1.8 billion above gazetted limits.
PAC expressed alarm that payments from citizens are being channelled to private entities without proper legal documentation, rendering the entire process unlawful.
“Even a single legal challenge could bring the system down — and the government would lose. That’s how vulnerable we are,” Mwale warned.
In light of these revelations, PAC is demanding the platform be suspended immediately until a legal and operational framework is firmly established to safeguard public funds and protect national interest.
